statesmen and politics,
and was sparkling indeed in speaking of the lovely languisher whose
little wrist was too delicate and slender to support the loaded whip.
While she talked, Mistress Anne's soft, dull eyes were fixed upon her
with a sort of wonder which had some of the quality of bewilderment; but
this was no new thing either, for to the one woman the other was ever
something to marvel at.

"It is because you are so quiet a mouse, Anne," my lady said, with her
dazzling smile, "that you seem never in the way; and yet I should miss
you if I knew you were not within the house. When the duke takes me to
Camylotte you must be with me even then. It is so great a house that in
it I can find you a bower in which you can be happy even if you see us
but little. 'Tis a heavenly place I am told, and of great splendour and
beauty. The park and flower-gardens are the envy of all England."

"You--will be very happy, sister," said Anne, "and--and like a queen."

"Yes," was her sister's answer--"yes." And 'twas spoken with a deep in-
drawn breath.

After the repast was ended she went back to the Panelled Parlour.

"You may sit with me till bedtime if you desire, Anne," she said; "but
'twill be but dull for you, as I go to sit at work. I have some
documents of import to examine and much writing to do. I shall sit up
late." And upon this she turned to the lacquey holding open the door for
her passing through. "If before half-past ten there comes a message from
Sir John Oxon," she gave order, "it must be brought to me at once; but
later I must not be disturbed--it will keep until morning."

Yet as she spoke there was before her as distinct a picture as ever of
what lay waiting and gazing in the room to which she went.

Until twelve o'clock she sat at her table, a despatch box by her side,
papers outspread before her. Within three feet of her was the divan, but
she gave no glance to it, sitting writing, reading, and comparing
documents. At twelve o'clock she rose and rang the bell.

"I shall be later than I thought," she said. "I need none of you who are
below stairs. Go you all to bed. Tell my woman that she also may lie
down. I will ring when I come to my chamber and have need of her. There
is yet no message from Sir John?"

"None, my lady," the man answered.

He went away with a relieved countenance, as she made no comment. He
knew that his fellows as well as himself would be pleased enough to be
release